The Christian Democratic Left

In response to comments we delve too much into religion for the newsletter, I totally disagree. I feel we should present positive prospective. The Republican have already clothed themselves in "Fundamentalist Christianity" and presented it as the only true prospective. There are many Christians that oppose many of the Republican Fundamentalist views, but think that Bush and company must be sincere since they use religious trappings when nothing is further from the truth. Presenting arguments from the Christian Democratic Left are valid points of discussion.

I think Steve successfully presents the Christian Left view that Jesus was a Progressive. I think as well that Buddha, Mohammad, and many Jewish Rabbis and Catholics believed in Progressive view points as well. The problem here is intolerance of another's religious views not the expression of religion's positive functions. Religion can be the instrument of evil or good depending on how it is applied. I personally believe deeply in Universalism and that there are points of value in all positive religions and the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings. There are other prospectives and many of these deserve expression.

The problem I have is when Republican Fundamentalists say in the Republican Platform that they want to dispel the myth about Separation of Church and State. As I pointed out in previous newsletters, the real myth here is that there was never intended to be Separation of Church and State. It is quite clear from Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and George Washington that they recognized the problem when one religion or religious view "uses governmental power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths or no faith, undermines our civil rights."

Where are the Christian Democrats you may ask? Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Jim Wallis, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton I reply. I do not mean to exclude or not accept differing views or arguments. My hair is extremely curly and you are quite welcome to send me any writing that connects Democratic values and your religious view points.

Thomas P Love